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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 11, 2015 <br />It is in keeping with that framework that the Administration negotiated an agreement is <br />unprecedented in its generosity to a community with Class Two tribal gaming. Any gaming <br />facility brings costs as well as benefits, those costs can include increased use of infrastructure, <br />public safety resources and potential economic effects that can cut both ways. The purpose of <br />this agreement is to ensure the benefits outweigh the costs. Under the agreement, the City <br />receives two percent (2 %) net revenue with a guaranteed floor of either $1 million or $2 million <br />dollars a year depending on the size of the facility. The Administration believes the actual <br />revenues are going to be much higher than that minimum. The funding can be used for public <br />safety, economic development or other appropriate uses as budgeted by the Administration and <br />Council in the years to come. In addition, the Tribe has agreed to donate $5 million dollars over <br />five (5) years to a number of important causes in the community that range from the Bowman <br />Creek Project, Boys and Girls Club, South Bend School Corporation, the local Food Bank, Parks <br />Department, landscaping and resurfacing on Prairie Ave and a number of other projects. These <br />commitments have come from a vigorous back and forth discussion between the Administration <br />and the Tribe. Collectively, this agreement meets the best interest of both the City and the Tribe. <br />There is a lot of passion in the community both in favor and in opposition to Indian gaming but <br />the Mayor wished to stress that the question of whether gaming will happen or not has already <br />been decided by Federal Law. The question now is do we play a role in how the City can benefit <br />from that casino. The full text is online for public inspection as well. <br />Cristal Brisco, Corporation Counsel of the City with offices on the 12th Floor of the County -City <br />Building, spoke about the legal specifics of the agreement. This agreement deals with the <br />proposed development of the 166 acre site in South Bend which includes a tribal village and a <br />casino. This demonstrates the Pokagon's good faith efforts to replace lost tax revenue as a result <br />of this property becoming Federal Trust land. There is no legal requirement for the Tribe to offer <br />Class 2 gaming agreement with the City. This agreement involves payments in lieu of taxes, $5 <br />million in community donations and other terms and conditions related to the development of the <br />site. The Pokagon Band agreed to make an annual payment to the City of South Bend which is <br />equal to two percent (2 %) of net wins. The net wins calculation is comprised of the total amount <br />wagered minus the total amount paid for prizes on each game, excluding free play. One percent <br />(1 %) will be paid to the City's general fund and the other one percent (1 %) will be paid to the <br />South Bend Redevelopment Commission to fund initiatives broadly aimed at contributing to the <br />improvement of local educational opportunities and to address poverty and unemployment in the <br />City. The first payment will be due one (1) year after the casino is open for gaming. The <br />payments will not be less than $1 million annually if the casino is home to between 850 and 1699 <br />games and will not be less than $2 million annually if the casino is home to over 1700 games. <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis asked the Mayor how he would respond to the claims that crime <br />would increase, more negative outsiders would come to the City and that traffic will be <br />congested on the South West side of the City. <br />Mayor Buttigieg responded they have made no effort to ignore the fact that there are costs as <br />well as benefits and that is exactly why it is so important we have this agreement. The Tribe was <br />willing to enter into good faith discussions with us on how to ensure with community that this <br />will be a net positive for South Bend. For example certainly there will be more traffic on the <br />roads which leads to more wear and tear but that would be offset by resurfacing improvements to <br />Prairie Ave as well as the extra money in the General Fund. The revenue promised more than <br />exceeds any costs we would expect for any additional burden on safety resources. There is a very <br />strong case that this will be an economic development generator for the City. It is understandable <br />to have a fear of the unknown as this is something the City has never had before but the level of <br />support the Tribe is willing to commit toward it is extraordinary. The Federal approval process is <br />its own entity outside of the scope of this agreement and there is opportunity for public input on <br />that end. This is an opportunity for us to say the community will benefit the most from this <br />proposed project. <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis asked the Mayor to speculate on how five (5) to ten (10) years <br />from now this project would leave a positive mark on the City of South Bend with this <br />agreement in place. <br />13 <br />